Both use tooth-coloured composite resin — but they solve very different problems. Bonding is a cosmetic treatment that improves appearance. A filling is a restorative treatment that repairs decay. The right option depends on the condition of your tooth.
Bonding From
£395
Filling From
£185
Consultation
FREE
If your dentist has mentioned composite bonding or a white filling, you may be wondering what the difference is. Both use tooth-coloured composite resin and both are completed in a single visit — so the confusion is understandable. However, they treat fundamentally different problems.
A white filling is a restorative treatment — it repairs a tooth that has been damaged by decay, a fracture or a failed existing filling. Composite bonding is a cosmetic treatment — it enhances the appearance of a tooth that is structurally healthy but has chips, gaps, uneven edges or minor discolouration.
Understanding the distinction is important because the right treatment depends entirely on the clinical condition of your tooth. Your dentist will examine your teeth and recommend the most appropriate option. Below, we compare both treatments so you can arrive at your consultation well informed.
At a Glance
Composite bonding vs dental fillings — side by side.
| Feature | Composite Bonding · From £395 | White Filling · From £185 |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage | Applied to the visible surface — reshapes appearance | Placed inside the cavity left after decay is removed |
| Procedure Type | Cosmetic — improves the look of a healthy tooth | Restorative — repairs a tooth damaged by decay or fracture |
| Treatment Time | 30–60 minutes per tooth (single visit) | 30–45 minutes per filling (single visit) |
| Structural Support | Minimal — enhances appearance but does not repair decay | Restores lost structure and helps reinforce the tooth |
| Aesthetics | Hand-sculpted for highly natural cosmetic results | Shade-matched composite — virtually invisible |
| Cost at Our Clinic | From £395 per tooth | From £185 (small), £245 (medium), £325 (large) |
| Longevity | 5–10 years with good care | 7–15 years depending on size and location |
| Suitability | Chips, gaps, uneven edges, minor discolouration | Cavities, decay, broken teeth, lost or failed fillings |
Treatment recommendations depend on individual clinical assessment. All prices confirmed before treatment begins.
Cosmetic Treatment
Composite bonding is a cosmetic dental treatment where tooth-coloured composite resin is applied directly onto the surface of a structurally healthy tooth, sculpted by hand and polished to a natural finish. It is used to repair chips, close gaps, reshape uneven or worn edges, cover minor discolouration and improve the symmetry of your smile.
The procedure usually requires no drilling and no anaesthetic because the composite is bonded directly to the natural enamel — no tooth structure is removed. This makes it one of the most conservative, affordable and reversible cosmetic treatments available. Treatment is completed in a single visit, typically 30–60 minutes per tooth.
At Dental Clinic London, composite bonding costs from £395 per tooth. Multi-tooth packages are available (2 teeth from £790, 4 from £1,580, 6 from £2,370). A free 15-minute cosmetic consultation is available to discuss your goals.
Restorative Treatment
A dental filling is a restorative treatment used to repair a tooth that has been damaged by decay (a cavity), a fracture, or wear. Your dentist removes the damaged portion of the tooth, cleans the cavity and fills it with tooth-coloured composite resin to restore the tooth's shape, strength and function.
Modern white fillings (also called composite fillings) are made from BPA-free composite resin that is carefully shade-matched to your natural tooth colour. They bond directly to the tooth structure, which means less healthy tooth needs to be removed compared to traditional amalgam fillings. They are mercury-free, virtually invisible and completed in a single 30–45 minute appointment.
At Dental Clinic London, composite fillings cost from £185 (small / 1 surface), £245 (medium / 2 surfaces) and £325 (large / 3+ surfaces). We also offer inlays, onlays and crowns for larger restorations. A new patient examination is just £30.
Understanding the Difference
This is the most fundamental difference. Composite bonding is a cosmetic procedure — it improves the appearance of a tooth that is structurally healthy. A filling is a restorative procedure — it repairs a tooth that has been damaged by decay, fracture or wear. If your tooth has a cavity, you need a filling. If your tooth is healthy but you want to improve its appearance, bonding is the appropriate option.
Composite bonding usually requires no tooth preparation at all — no drilling, no anaesthetic, no enamel removal. The resin is applied directly to the natural tooth surface. A filling requires your dentist to remove the decayed or damaged portion of the tooth under local anaesthetic before placing the composite. This means a filling involves more clinical intervention, though modern techniques preserve as much healthy tooth as possible.
Dental fillings generally last longer than cosmetic bonding. Our composite fillings typically last 7–15 years depending on size, location and oral hygiene. Composite bonding typically lasts 5–10 years. Both can be repaired or replaced when needed. For larger cavities requiring greater durability, an inlay, onlay or crown may be recommended instead of a standard filling.
Dental fillings are more affordable — starting from £185 at Dental Clinic London (small), with medium fillings from £245 and large from £325. Composite bonding starts from £395 per tooth. The difference reflects the cosmetic sculpting and artistry involved in bonding versus the functional restoration provided by a filling. 0% finance is available on both, subject to status.
If your tooth has decay, a fracture or a failed existing filling, you need a restorative filling (or crown for larger damage). Bonding cannot treat these conditions. If your tooth is structurally sound and the issue is purely cosmetic — chips, gaps, uneven edges, discolouration — bonding is the more appropriate and conservative choice. Your dentist will determine which is clinically suitable.
Weighing Up
Advantages
Limitations
Advantages
Limitations
Transparent Pricing
Prices at Dental Clinic London. View our complete fee guide for all treatment pricing.
| Treatment | Price | Visits |
|---|---|---|
| Free Short Cosmetic Consultation15-min chat about your options — no obligation | FREE | 1 |
| Small Composite Filling (1 surface)Single surface restoration — decay or chip repair | From £185 | 1 |
| Medium Composite Filling (2 surfaces)Two-surface restoration | From £245 | 1 |
| Large Composite Filling (3+ surfaces)Extensive multi-surface restoration | From £325 | 1 |
| Composite Bonding (per tooth)Cosmetic reshaping — chips, gaps, edges | From £395 | 1 |
| Amalgam Replacement FillingSafe removal of old silver filling + white composite | From £185 | 1 |
All costs confirmed before treatment begins. 0% finance available on selected treatments, subject to status. New patient examination £30.
Making Your Decision
The right choice depends on the clinical condition of your tooth. Here is a general guide — your dentist will confirm the best approach following examination.
If your teeth are healthy but you want to improve their appearance — fixing chips, closing small gaps, evening out edges or covering minor staining — composite bonding is the ideal choice. It requires no drilling, no anaesthetic and is completed in a single visit. Results are immediate and the treatment is completely reversible.
If your tooth has a cavity, crack, fracture or failed existing filling, a restorative composite filling is the appropriate treatment. Bonding cannot treat decay — decay must be removed and the tooth restored. Your dentist will identify any decay during examination and X-rays. Early treatment prevents the need for more extensive procedures later.
Composite fillings generally last longer than cosmetic bonding — typically 7–15 years compared to 5–10 years. For teeth under heavy biting forces (back teeth), fillings are the more durable functional restoration. For even greater durability on larger cavities, your dentist may recommend a porcelain inlay or a dental crown.
Dental fillings start from £185, making them the more affordable option. Composite bonding starts from £395 per tooth. However, they address different problems — you cannot choose one over the other based on cost alone. A filling treats damage; bonding improves appearance. Your dentist will recommend what is clinically appropriate for your situation.
In some cases, your dentist may combine both treatments — for example, placing a filling to restore a cavity and then adding bonding to improve the cosmetic result. Both form part of our general and private dentistry services.
Common Questions
Have another question? Contact our team and we will be happy to help.
Book a free 15-minute cosmetic consultation or a new patient examination (just £30) at Dental Clinic London. Your dentist will examine your teeth, explain your options and recommend the most appropriate treatment — whether that is bonding, a filling, or something else entirely. No obligation, no pressure.
Disclaimer
This article is intended for general educational purposes only and does not constitute personalised dental advice. Individual diagnosis and treatment recommendations require a clinical examination by a qualified dental professional. All treatment outcomes vary by patient. Prices shown are starting prices and may vary depending on complexity. Dental Clinic London is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and the General Dental Council (GDC).